2 routers 1 network help

BaileyJoness1

BaileyJoness1

BaileyJoness1

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1 Oct 2020
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8
I'm trying to configure a second router onto my home network but I keep failing to do it successfully. I've watched youtube tutorials but no luck, it seems I'm a total noob regarding this sort of thing.
Anybody here able to help guide me through how to do this please?
 
What is your goal here, extra WiFi coverage? You don't want 2 routers ideally. To expand the network you want a single router connected to either a switch for more wired connections or a WiFi access point to extend WiFi coverage.
 
My main router is in my house. I need an internet connection to my garage external to my home. I've had a friend run cat5e ethernet from the main router in my home to the garage(which works fine) but i'd like to have a second router in the garage now so that I'm not bound to just connecting devices through ethernet when im in the garage.
 
Right, in which case you need a wireless access point.

You have the choice of a dedicated AP, or some routers you can run in AP mode, which disables all the router functionality and just uses the wifi.
 
I have a spare BT smart hub 2 available would that work?
If I were to use a dedicated AP would that mean I could connect devices to ethernet and wifi(Eg have ethernet to pc from the AP and also wifi to my phone from the AP)?
 
you'll want something along the lines of this
Router >
Ethernet cable >
Switch with enough ports for your wired devices (remember to include the AP and Router connections in the port total) >
Access Point (provides wifi)
 
BaileyJoness1 said:
Anybody here able to help guide me through how to do this please?
Click to expand...

As others have said, a router isn't the right equipment, but if you are strapped for cash then needs must and the very first thing you should do is change the IP address range issued by the secondary router. Most home routers give IP addresses in the range 192.168/16, but there are two other private IP ranges 10/8 and 172.16/12. So change your second router's address range to the last.
 
Quartz said:
As others have said, a router isn't the right equipment, but if you are strapped for cash then needs must and the very first thing you should do is change the IP address range issued by the secondary router. Most home routers give IP addresses in the range 192.168/16, but there are two other private IP ranges 10/8 and 172.16/12. So change your second router's address range to the last.
Click to expand...
huh? would you not just join the routers LAN<->LAN, give the 2nd router a static ip that doesn't clash, turn off dhcp on the 2nd router and let router 1 handle it all..?

or are you thinking LAN<->WAN and getting around double-NAT/clashing routable subnets?
 
BaileyJoness1 said:
I'm trying to configure a second router onto my home network but I keep failing to do it successfully. I've watched youtube tutorials but no luck, it seems I'm a total noob regarding this sort of thing.
Anybody here able to help guide me through how to do this please?
Click to expand...

As suggested already, the simplest thing would be for you to set your second router in the garage to Access Point mode. If you haven't already got a second router, then buy an access point instead, as it will be cheaper by not having all the routing bits built into it.

If you told people what router(s) you have, then people might be able to tell you exactly what you need to change in the settings.
 
neil_g said:
huh? would you not just join the routers LAN<->LAN, give the 2nd router a static ip that doesn't clash, turn off dhcp on the 2nd router and let router 1 handle it all..?

or are you thinking LAN<->WAN and getting around double-NAT/clashing routable subnets?
Click to expand...

IIRC, the whole point of AP mode is that none of this is necessary, as you're not subnetting or dealing with double-nat. DHCP and routing is automatically turned off, and the AP mode is simply extending your wireless signal on the end of a cable that's already on your main LAN. In fact, the AP is acting as a bridge on the LAN side.
 
Steampunk said:
IIRC, the whole point of AP mode is that none of this is necessary, as you're not subnetting or dealing with double-nat. DHCP and routing is automatically turned off, and the AP mode is simply extending your wireless signal on the end of a cable that's already on your main LAN. In fact, the AP is acting as a bridge on the LAN side.
Click to expand...
indeed separate AP or AP mode will always be best. however, might be wrong, not sure the BT hubs can be put into AP mode?
 
Steampunk said:
Having had a quick google, apparently not. You can fake it by turning off various functionality, but the hub always sees the lack of a internet connection on the DSL port as an error and behaves strangely.
Click to expand...

I already have a spare BT smart hub 2 router but I didn't get that router specifically for this reason I just happen to have it as a spare. I don't mind buying an access point if it means it'll get the setup working. Any access points you'd recommend me buying?
 
Steampunk said:
IIRC, the whole point of AP mode is that none of this is necessary, as you're not subnetting or dealing with double-nat
Click to expand...

This.

neil_g said:
huh? would you not just join the routers LAN<->LAN, give the 2nd router a static ip that doesn't clash, turn off dhcp on the 2nd router and let router 1 handle it all..?
Click to expand...


Because the way I suggested is guaranteed to work with all routers that have an ethernet WAN port. It is a quick and easy solution that gives time for investigation of better solutions.
 
BaileyJoness1 said:
I already have a spare BT smart hub 2 router but I didn't get that router specifically for this reason I just happen to have it as a spare. I don't mind buying an access point if it means it'll get the setup working. Any access points you'd recommend me buying?
Click to expand...

TBH, I've got no idea what's around that's good. Unless you need particularly high speed or high power from the AP, probably anything from any of the big names such as Asus, TP-Link, Netgear, etc would do the job. OCUK have some TP-Link range extenders like this that look fine. Obviously check the spec against what you need, but really it's just an ethernet bridge on one end and a wi-fi on the other. You pay more for the high speed, newer wi-fi standards.
 
We use Ubiquiti Access Points, Plenty to choose from depends on budget can resolve this. 2 Routers are always going to clash as they are on the same IP range. To make your setup work. Main one with internet needs DHCP on. second needs DHCP off and static IP address. Or use the Ubiqiti Access Points, I personally use the LR (Long Range) on most of our sites. However its personal choice.
 
Quartz said:
Not all routers will pass through DHCP requests.
Click to expand...
True, But there only one way he will find out. Personally It wouldnt be my choice. Would rather install an POE switch somewhere in the house and hook a couple of AP up.
 
What even is a POE switch?
So Im slightly confused as to why people keep mentioning the router option if its not gonna work well? I dont mind buying an access point if it will work well.
Do I just plug the ethernet into the access point then thats it I have wifi in the room or is there more configuration associated with setting it up?

Also, why a couple of AP? Do I need more than one for my room?
 
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